Chapter 891: Wang Mingren Issues a Warning

As Wang Qingling organized the clan to mine the Cold Moon Stone vein, Wang Qingshan received a letter from Wang Mingren.

The Intelligence Hall delivered the letter. In it, Wang Mingren requested the family's help in obtaining a fourth-tier Snow Jade Beast inner core or a Snow Jade Pill, offering to trade magical treasures or other cultivation resources in return. He also expressed a desire to meet Wang Changsheng, but was willing to discuss with other clan members if Wang Changsheng was unavailable.

Wang Qingshan frowned slightly. The tone of Wang Mingren's letter felt less like a request for help and more like a business transaction, an approach Wang Qingshan found displeasing.

After forming his Golden Core, Wang Mingren rarely contacted the family. His communications typically involved inquiries about the attackers of clan strongholds, showing little concern for the family's overall well-being.

"Uncle-Grandpa Mingren is truly something. He never contacts the family unless there's a specific need, and then it's in this tone, making it feel like a transaction," Wang Qiuhong remarked, frowning. As the family head, he had naturally reviewed the letter's contents.

Wang Qiuhong also held a dislike for Wang Mingren. After achieving Golden Core, Wang Mingren could have offered the family more support, but he chose not to, and the family didn't compel him. However, his infrequent inquiries about the family's affairs gave the impression of a cold and indifferent nature.

Wang Qiuhong had previously heard that Wang Mingren, while directing clan members in the Monster Control Kingdom to search for evil cultivators, had inadvertently delayed Wang Qingling and Wang Qiuming's cultivation, essentially engaging in futile efforts. More notably, during the Wang family's stronghold attack, Wang Mingren merely inquired about the safety of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, offering no further concern or assistance.

"Qiuhong, don't speak that way. Uncle-Grandpa Mingren is an elder, after all," Wang Qingshan said sternly, his expression hardening. "A fourth-tier Snow Jade Beast inner core? Does our family possess one? If not, send someone to inquire at the major merchant houses. Uncle-Grandpa Mingren bears the Wang surname; he is our kin. We should assist him if we can."

While Wang Qingshan also harbored reservations about Wang Mingren, he felt it inappropriate to be overly critical towards an elder.

Wang Qiuhong nodded. "Understood, Seventh Uncle," he replied. "I'll issue instructions for the clan members to keep an eye out. However, fourth-tier pills are extremely valuable and not easily obtained."

"We'll do our best and leave the rest to fate. Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt are in seclusion, so there's no need to disturb them. Since Uncle-Grandpa Mingren has a request, it would be improper for us not to meet him. I will go represent the family and meet him," Wang Qingshan stated. "You all protect the family. Unless it's a critical matter, do not interrupt Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt's cultivation." Wang Qingshan intended to travel to the Coral Sea Region to meet Wang Mingren. As the most senior clan member, it would be disrespectful to send someone of a lower generation to meet him.

Despite Wang Mingren's selfish nature, Wang Qingshan still felt obligated to show respect to an elder.

"Yes, Seventh Uncle, please take extra care," Wang Qiuhong responded.

After giving a few instructions, Wang Qingshan departed from Silver Snake Island.

More than half a year later, Wang Qingshan arrived at the Coral Sea Region and met Wang Mingren at the Spirit Turtle Market.

Upon seeing Wang Qingshan, Wang Mingren was initially surprised, then his face brightened with joy. He smiled and said, "Qingshan, long time no see! Your cultivation has already caught up to mine. You truly are worthy of being Master Ye's registered disciple. Where are Changsheng and Ruyan? Are they away?"

Wang Qingshan nodded. "Uncle-Grandpa Mingren, you flatter me," he replied. "Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt are in seclusion for cultivation and are unable to attend. Whatever instructions you have, you can tell me; I am authorized to make decisions."

"Does the family have a way to acquire a Snow Jade Pill or a fourth-tier Snow Jade Beast inner core? I can offer magical treasures in exchange." Wang Mingren had not seen Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan in over a century, and this long absence had created a sense of estrangement from the family, which led him to propose this exchange.

"I apologize, Uncle-Grandpa Mingren. The family does not possess either of those items. However, I have already instructed clan members to be on the lookout."

Wang Mingren pondered for a moment, then spoke with a grave expression: "Qingshan, tell Changsheng and Ruyan that a major conflict might erupt in the South Sea. Advise them to prepare and stockpile various strategic resources. I don't know the exact details, but I'm certain a significant war is coming to the South Sea. If it's minor, the Coral Sea Region will be affected; if it's major, the entire South Sea will plunge into chaos. I am not joking, and you must not spread this information."

This information was a secret within the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and Wang Mingren was taking a significant risk by divulging it.

Whenever significant chaos erupts in the cultivation world, the balance of power is disrupted. Weaker forces are eliminated, leaving only the stronger ones, a true demonstration of the law of the jungle. Prior preparation can minimize losses, and with good fortune, one might even seize opportunities to expand their influence.

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Qingshan's eyes as he asked solemnly, "Uncle-Grandpa Mingren, you aren't joking, are you?"

"Would I joke with you about something like this? My master informed me of this. He is an elder in the Hall of Deacons, responsible for resource allocation and personnel deployment. He deduced this from various subtle clues. Our family might be able to seize this opportunity to expand its influence. However, I don't know the full extent of the potential turmoil."

Wang Qingshan nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Uncle-Grandpa Mingren," he said. "I will relay this message to Qiuhong and instruct him to prepare by procuring more strategic resources." Given that the information came from an elder of the Taiyi Immortal Sect's Hall of Deacons, it was likely accurate.

Wang Mingren's eyes glinted as he smiled and said, "Qingshan, you are an elder of our sect. This is an excellent opportunity to achieve great merit. Why not stay in the Coral Sea Region and fight alongside me? If you accomplish significant deeds, you can exchange them for even more cultivation resources from the sect, and it will also benefit the family. What are your thoughts?"

Wang Mingren had long heard of Wang Qingshan's exploits. During the Sword Combat Tournament hosted by the Myriad Swords Sect, Wang Qingshan had garnered significant fame, becoming renowned throughout the South Sea cultivation world. Wang Mingren realized that if Wang Qingshan remained to assist him, achieving merit would be easier, and his own safety would be enhanced. Wang Mingren felt a twinge of regret, thinking he should have shown Wang Qingshan more care earlier. However, he believed it wasn't too late to forge a closer relationship with Wang Qingshan now.

He retrieved two crimson flying swords and presented them to Wang Qingshan, saying with a cheerful smile, "Qingshan, it's been many years since we last met, and Uncle-Grandpa doesn't have many fine gifts. These two flying swords are a matched set; please accept them."

Wang Qingshan thanked him and accepted the two flying swords. However, as he already possessed a set of second-tier flying swords, he did not particularly value the ones Wang Mingren offered.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Qingshan took his leave.

After exiting the tea house, Wang Qingshan visited an Intelligence Hall outpost. He instructed them to send a message to the family: the Coral Sea Region was on the brink of widespread chaos, and the entire South Sea cultivation world might follow suit. The family should prepare ample strategic resources, expand its influence and territory, and strive to minimize potential losses.

Upon receiving the message, Wang Qiuhong was greatly alarmed. He immediately convened a meeting with Wang Qingling, Wang Qingqing, Wang Qiuming, and Ye Haitang to discuss countermeasures.

Expanding their influence would inevitably require the involvement of Golden Core cultivators. As Wang Qingshan was currently occupied in the Coral Sea Region, and Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were in seclusion, the strongest individual available was Wang Qingling.

"Uncle-Grandpa Mingren stated that the Coral Sea Region will certainly face widespread chaos, and the South Sea cultivation world might follow suit," Wang Qingling calmly analyzed. "We don't need to panic excessively. Instead, we should recruit rogue cultivators and cultivators from smaller families. The recent attack by the Cloud Sea Sect provides a perfect pretext to dispatch forces to attack their affiliated powers, annexing some smaller families to bolster our own strength. We should also extensively procure strategic resources, outwardly claiming it's for defense against the Cloud Sea Sect and Black Flame Palace. This would be entirely reasonable and justifiable."

Wang Qingling calmly analyzed that any major war would surely result in many casualties among cultivators and a large consumption of strategic resources. The attacks by the Cloud Sea Sect and Black Flame Palace gave the Wang family an excuse to expand its power and stockpile large amounts of strategic resources.

Her proposal received unanimous approval from Wang Qingqing and the others.

"Eighth Sister," Wang Qiuhong cautioned, "the Black Flame Palace might try to contact you. Be extremely careful not to reveal any weaknesses."

Wang Qingqing nodded, smiling. "Don't worry! I know what to do. I was wounded by Wang family cultivators and activated the sect's protective formation. I will refuse to meet any external Golden Core cultivators. I can provide you with intelligence. You attack the Cloud Sea Sect's affiliated cultivation families, eliminate some, and absorb others. The act must be entirely convincing."

"Naturally," Wang Qiuming affirmed. "On the surface, we remain adversaries."

Wang Qiuming said with a smile that with turmoil on the horizon, the Wang family naturally had to be prepared. The impending chaos in the South Sea cultivation world presented both a challenge and an opportunity. If the Wang family could seize this chance, they might be able to significantly expand their influence.